Favourite
It’s July, my favourite month, partly because summer is well and truly here and partly coz it’s my birthday on the 27th, any excuse to light a BBQ, not that we need one in July and hopefully I’ll be able to invite more than 20 people and maybe we’ll even be allowed to dance Hmm and with the temperature already well over 40°C, even the cold water isn’t cold enough!
Topical
So, let’s just quickly mention Cyprus has done a really great job handling this ‘Pandemic’, well, you’d expect it to, seeing’s the Greeks invented the word ‘Pandemic’ … likewise the word Epidemiology, and tbh, we came out of the first lockdown over a year ago and I noticed everyone choosing to live life to the fullest, hugging, kissing hi and bye, shaking hands and just learning to live with it. Naturally all our bars, eateries and leisure activities are following health and hygiene protocols to the full, ish …
Longer Days
Sunrise is about 5.30 am and it’s not getting dark ’til almost 8.30 pm, so there’s lots of beach bars throwing beach parties, and with no more curfew the clubs are opening slowly but surely, much as these days you have to book a table and you can only dance at your table, coz of course if you dance at somebody else’s table you might catch the dreaded lurgy. But I must say, I’m already missing the foam parties and pool parties.
Holidays
Its supposed to be peak season, but it’s still not really busy, except on weekends when the inlanders swarm to the coast but by mid July all the kids from all over Europe will be on school holidays, so too our universities, so the ‘youth’ element will be evident! … tbh, it’s the same in all of Europe’s top seaside resorts.
Beach Life
It’s definitely time to get down to the beach or next to a pool to get that lovely tan, but please be careful, the sun in Cyprus is very strong, burn time is about 20 minutes, so slap on the Factor 50, aka ‘a bandage’ and it’s probably going to be sunny tomorrow so there’s no rush. Sadly, the night clubs aren’t all open yet, so to make up for it just look out for the ‘in-fashion‘ beach bars all along the coast throwing some really cool beach parties and the decadent old town bars and cafés putting on some awesome events these days …
Drink More Water !!!
Every summer I like to give you one very important tip, as it’s guaranteed to be over 40°C in the shade, that’s over 110°F in English, so it’s time to remind you to drink more water. If you’re out in the sun for long duration’s you’ll need at least 3 litres a day to avoid dehydration and if you think that’s loads, my good friend Craig of Bungee Down Under fame used to drink 8 litres a day, and not pee, so please take note!
Go Cruising
It’s summer so you’ll see loads of boat cruises … there’s plenty for all the family from age 2 to 102 … Boat Trips galore along rough and rugged coastlines, anchoring in Blue Lagoons for a swim stops in aqua blue crystal clear calm waters. oh, and look out for a few Firework Cruises, including the biggest on the majestic Wave Dancer I in Pafos or maybe you prefer a Lazy Day Cruise with John and the crew on Aphrodite II in Napa, or a sunset cruise with Captain Andreas on Aphrodite I in Protaras … Maybe go for a little luxury on the Private charter yacht, Cornelia.
Kids & Grown-Ups
Some of my favourites trips for the kids include; The Mermaid Cruise a must for the tiny tots that still believe in Mermaids, so too the very cool Nemo Submarine and my favourite pantomime on the sea ‘The Black Pearl Pirate Cruise”. Then there’s The Dolphin Submarine in Protaras or The Yellow Submarine outta Napa that allows Captain Yioryis to give you an adventure to the sea caves you’ll never forget.
Fishy
Now the Cypriots love their fish meze, so why not try Deep Sea fishing, to catch your own fishy lunch and maybe cook it in one of the harbour side restaurants, it really can’t get any fresher then that, just perfect!!! … for more info try searching for ‘Boat Trips’ …
Eating Out
I’ve been here 29 years, following What’s On in Cyprus, looking for the best eateries, many that I’ve now worked with and tried and tasted, several with decades of experience and a few cool new finds. Naturally, we’ve added some awesome pubs, that might as well be restaurants, along the way. Beach Taverns have sprung up everywhere along the coast, many serving fresh fish meze and platters and I’m very confident you’ll love our recommendations! When it comes to finding a good restaurant or web site is awesome … What cuisine do you fancy today? hmm, why not try a one-word search on this web site, they are fun and who knows what you might discover?
Clubbing
As I was saying the clubs aren’t all open yet but if they’re going to open it’ll be before end of July. Ayia Napa, of course still leads the way, as always, competing as one Europe’s club capital’s, and tbh, I think it’s pretty hard to beat the nightlife in Napa, mainly coz nothing is too far to get too from the city centre. Just two minutes from the square is Castle Club, of course, the biggest and by now they normally have 5 Rooms open including an outdoor chill out VIP zone, that’s a touch above the rest and might be the only room that opens this year …
More Clubbing
Club Ice I hope will be smashing it with Foam and UV Paint parties, the ever faithful Black ‘n’ White the only place to go for the urban mix and Bedrock Inn for the unique Silent Disco or one of my favs, Carwash Disco, I think it’s the best night out in town!!! oh, and the only After Party these days is Club Aqua, whilst up on the west coast places like Breeze, Bedroom and Guaba Beach Bar as always smashing it in Limassol … the thought is unimaginable clubbing heaven.
Getting Around
There’s much more do do than you think, the wonderful Camel Park in Mazados, the awesome Pafos Zoo to get back to the wild … a few cool Escape Rooms, a huge Fun Fair in Napa, a proper Hedged Maze, at CyHerbia Botanical Park, Water Parks and Water Sports galore, and some really cool Adventure sports like at the awesome Sayious Adventure Park in Asgata near Limassol, I have to say is absolutely awesome and a must try!
Morrelli Events
Morelli’s Events are back on track including Andreas’ very own Rat Pack on Friday 9th July. Andreas as always, ready to entertain where he’ll be live on stage as the legend Dean Martin, bringing back memories of when he was on ITV’s Stars in Their Eyes back in 2000 … I’m going! … then the Mini Tour of ‘Soul Kinda Wonderful’ from 16th to 19th July …
Kendall Events
One performance I’d really like to make is Kendall’s Events mini tour by award winning Johnny Dee’s tribute to Neil Diamond from 15th to 22nd July. Karen is promising it’ll be an awesome trip back in time!
Adventures
Take a trip to the Troodos mountains if you want to get away from the heat … check out Jimmy’s Jeep Adventures up on the west coast and Trackers Excursions on the east coast both highly recommended … The mountains are beautiful at this time of the year … and I have to wish a huge well done to the crew at Jungle Float in Protaras for re-floating this wonderful fun on water activity for kids and grown-ups in July.
Under the water
Diving, of course, is in its element with crystal clear warm sea and vision up to 40 metres it’s a great time to learn to dive with Open Water Courses starting around the €150 mark, Cyprus is one of the best places in the world to get that first certificate. Oh, btw experienced divers, get’a’load of our dive sites and they’ve just found a new Ancient Ship off the coast of Protaras, which I’m sure in time will be one of the world’s top wreck dives if they’ll let you near it?
Paradise
You may have noticed I have a passion for Cyprus, coz I truly believe this place is paradise, all you have to do is read my article on The Lost City of Atlantis to believe. Meanwhile, most of our visitors keep coming back, and eventually many of them move here. It’s got some of Europe’s finest beaches, probably the best sea I’ve ever snorkelled in and arguably the best climate in the world … oh, It’s been conquered by so many nations in its history, which btw is 12,600 years, when the Greek Gods discovered it, and btw they invented party, so be rude not to show our respect and keep partying
Shop ‘til you Drop
Shopping in Cyprus is catching up with the rest of Europe, as most shops in tourist resorts stay open ‘til 11 pm while the rest of Cyprus still enjoys a siesta, and why not … I love the efforts up in Old Town Pafos to invite shoppers back to stroll around pedestrianised cobbled alleys where you’ll also find top designer fashion boutiques and quaint bistros and cafes some even hosting Salsa Dancing in the Streets, and hundreds of dancers go, quite brilliant!
Updates
Our web site has over 1,600 pages about Cyprus and what you can do to pass your leisure time and our Facebook page gives you the things happening daily, and I’ll keep my eye on last-minute announcements so naturally watch this space!
You Want More?
Don’t forget to check out our ‘More’ section … It’s everything you need to know and more ! … maybe learn the Local Lingo? Hadeh Reh! … oh and look out for our regular ‘Live Videos’ as Tony skirts around doing what he does best, everyone is loving them … and here you’ll find workshops and many other cultural events …
Finally
So all that’s left to say is, if it’s your first time here, why? If you’ve been here before, welcome back!, and we all know that after you keep coming back, eventually, you’ll move here, anyway, you are all very welcome, and last but not least, step up the UV factor, whatever you do, drink loads of water oh, and make sure you do something you’ve never done before, at least once !
Enjoy and Na Da Boumen!
Tony Dynamou
Ps; I know I missed out loads, but follow us on your chosen social media or send me a message, and if you’ve got something to shout about send me a reminder!
Cover Photo; Protaras Coast at Night by Tony Dynamou
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